Method for pneumatically propelling a projectile substance

Abstract

A projectile substance is pneumatically propelled. The projectile substance is inserted into a longitudinal bore (23) of a barrel (22) and a rupture disk (54) is attached to a first end of the barrel (22). Next, the first end of the barrel is coupled to a first end of a pneumatic reservoir (26) having a chamber (27) therein. The rupture disk (54), as attached, acts to form a seal between the longitudinal bore (23) and the chamber (27). Then, a gas is introduced into the chamber (27) until a sufficient pressure is attained within the chamber (27) to rupture the disk (54). When the disk (54) ruptures, the gas in the chamber (27) rushes into the longitudinal (23) bore with sufficient force to propel the projectile substance out of the barrel (22).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for pneumatically propelling a projectile substance comprising the steps of: inserting the substance into a longitudinal bore of a barrel;   attaching a rupture disk to a first end of the barrel;   coupling the first end of the barrel to a first end of a pneumatic reservoir having a chamber, wherein the rupture disk forms a seal between the longitudinal bore and the chamber;   introducing a gas into the chamber until a sufficient pressure is attained within the chamber to rupture the disk and propel the substance out of the barrel; and   plugging a second end of the barrel to prevent the substance from exiting the bore until the rupture disk ruptures.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of introducing comprises the steps of: providing a pressurized canister of the gas;   coupling a first valve between the canister and a second end of the pneumatic reservoir; and   opening the valve to introduce the gas into the chamber.   
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of: coupling a second valve between the first valve and the reservoir; and   opening the second valve to depressurize the chamber.   
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of preventing the gas from flowing into the chamber after the disk has ruptured. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of mixing a liquid with a solid to form a slurry, wherein the substance is the slurry. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of forming the substance from a liquid. 
     
     
       7. A method of pneumatically penetrating a container comprising the steps of: loading a projectile substance into a longitudinal bore of a barrel;   attaching a rupture disk to a first end of the barrel;   coupling the first end of the barrel to a first end of a pneumatic reservoir having a chamber so that the disk forms a seal between the longitudinal bore and the chamber;   attaining the barrel and the reservoir on a mount;   aiming the barrel at the container;   introducing a gas into the chamber;   allowing the pressure of the gas to increase until the disk ruptures, wherein the gas enters the bore, forces the projectile substance out through a second end of the barrel and the projectile substance penetrates the container; and   plugging the second end of the barrel to prevent the substance from exiting the bore until the rupture disk ruptures.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of introducing comprises the steps of: providing a pressurized canister of the gas;   coupling a first valve between the canister and a second end of the reservoir; and   opening the valve to introduce the gas into the chamber.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of: coupling a second valve between the first valve and the reservoir; and   opening the second valve to depressurize the chamber.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of closing the first valve to prevent the gas from flowing into the chamber after the disk has ruptured. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of mixing a liquid with a solid to form a slurry, wherein the substance is the slurry. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of forming the substance from a liquid. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of loading comprises the step of loading the substance into the first end of the barrel before the rupture disk is attached. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of loading comprises the step of loading the substance into the second end of the barrel after the first end of the barrel has been coupled to the first end of the reservoir. 
     
     
       15. A method for pneumatically disarming an explosive device comprising the steps of: providing a pneumatic gun assembly having a barrel defining a longitudinal bore and a pneumatic reservoir defining a chamber;   loading a projectile substance into the longitudinal bore;   attaching a rupture disk to a first end of the barrel;   coupling the first end of the barrel to a first end of the pneumatic reservoir so that the disk forms a fluid barrier between the longitudinal bore and the chamber;   mounting the gun assembly on a mount; plugging a second end of the barrel;   aiming the barrel at the explosive device;   providing a shielded canister of compressed gas;   opening a valve coupled between the canister and a second end of the reservoir to introduce the gas into the chamber;   keeping the valve open at least until the pressure of the gas within the chamber becomes sufficient to rupture the disk, wherein the gas enters the bore and propels the projectile substance out through the second end of the barrel toward the explosive device; and   penetrating the explosive device with the projectile substance to disarm the explosive device.   
     
     
       16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of loading comprises the step of: loading the projectile substance into the bore through the first end of the barrel.   
     
     
       17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of loading comprises the step of: loading the projectile substance into the second end of the barrel after the first end has been coupled to the reservoir and before the step of plugging the second end of the barrel.   
     
     
       18. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of mixing water with a particulate to form the projectile substance.